ABSTRACT
Investigations have continued for production of high performance agrobased composites using environmentally acceptable approaches. The possibility of preparing high performance agro-based composites using non toxic rice bran-modified urea formaldehyde (RB-based UF) adhesive systems is evaluated in comparison with that synthesized from starch- based modified UF adhesive system (St-based UF). This chapter focuses on the research of incorporating rice bran into urea-formaldehyde using denaturalized RB in either a slurry (wet) or dry form. It also investigates optimizing the nitrogen content of modified starch systems. The evaluations include assessment of the role of RB- and modified starch-based adhesives 180in reducing emissions of free-HCHO content and its effect on viscosity and gel time of modified UF adhesives. It also includes investigations of the physical, mechanical and water resistance properties of sugarcane bagasse particleboard composites. The results obtained show that both adhesive systems exhibit improved environmental performance (reduction in HCHO emission is ~ 53%) over a commercially HCHO-based adhesive (UF). Further, they provided particleboards that meet the requirements of grade H-3 per particle board grade requirements from NPA (ANSI A208, 1999).
